The Barcelona Shakedown gave teams and drivers their first taste of the 2026 cars, built under sweeping new technical regulations. Shorter, lighter, and more agile than before, these machines also feature revised power unit rules, leaving drivers with plenty to process during their opening laps.
Lando Norris
Reigning World Champion Lando Norris described the new car as "fun to drive," adding: "They're good fun, because it's more power and less grip to a certain extent. Which means you're hustling, you're having to control the car a bit more, fight the car at times more." He also noted the machine "certainly feels more powerful and quicker," predicting "more racing" and "different strategies."
Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri echoed the sentiment, saying there were "challenges but not as alien as we might have feared." He highlighted differences in engine sound and how power delivery feels with narrower tyres and reduced downforce: "You've got a lot of power and less grip."
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Lewis Hamilton & Charles Leclerc
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was upbeat too: "We have a lot less downforce than previous years... The car generation is actually a little bit more fun to drive - it's oversteery, it's snappy and sliding, but it's a little bit easier to catch and I would definitely say more enjoyable." Charles Leclerc added- "It's an exciting time for Formula 1, where there's so much change that we've got to adapt as drivers, we've got to adapt as teams and try and find ways to maximise what is now our new package, and especially with this energy management that is so much more important compared to the past," the Monegasque said.
George Russell
Mercedes driver George Russell praised the new engines: "The amount of power they give is pretty impressive... it's probably the quickest I've ever seen an F1 car pass here in Barcelona." He also welcomed the weight reduction, saying the cars feel smaller and more responsive.
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Kimi Antonelli
Young talent Kimi Antonelli enjoyed the agility: "It's fun to drive... it's more agile, especially in changes of direction and in slow-speed corners... plus we don't have bouncing anymore." He appreciated the added flexibility in set-up, calling it "super nice and super interesting."
Arvind Lindblad
Arvid Lindblad, the rookie stepping in at Racing Bulls to replace Hadjar, has already started reflecting on how he can make an impact as a driver. Speaking about his first experiences with the 2026 car, Lindblad admitted he is enjoying the process of adapting to the new machine.
"I'm enjoying it," he said, acknowledging the challenge of getting used to the fresh regulations and design changes. "Obviously it's very different to drive, so it's exciting and it's fun also obviously to drive in F1 but you feel it's different."